Concealed key and utility case



Oct. 11, 1960 A. G. CARRINGTON CONCEALED KEY AND UTILITY CASE Filed July 31. 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet Hl ig n 34 Y pa/2027 0767 dfemmd'erazsq ,ZPWM

1960 A. e. CARRINGTON' 2,955,704

CONCEALED KEY AND UTILITY CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 31, 1958 A. G. CARRINGTON 2,955,704

CONCEALED KEY AND UTILITY CASE Oct. 11, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 31. 1958 'IIIHT United States Patent C) 2,955,704 CON CEALED KEY AND. CASE Alexander G. Carrington, 210.2 W. Concord Place, Chicago, 111.

Filed July 31, 1958, Ser. No. 752,263,

8 Claims. Cl. 206-38),

-This invention relates generally to small utility cases of convenient size for carrying in a pocket on the person or in a ladys handbag, and more particularly it relates to an improved construction for a utility case of the character described having normally concealed compartments in which a valuable objector a key or like utensil may be ,secreted and from which the utensil may be selectively pivoted into an operative position.

Although heretofore utility cases of the general type with which this invention is concerned have been known, they have not been employed with distinctive advantages in connection with the more elegant and ornamental type of cases, such as cigarette cases, combination cigarette and lighter cases or ladies cosmetic" compacts] One important reason for this situation may be attributed to the inadequately concealed character of such compartments ast prolvided in the. prior art devicesf in the structures heretofore provided it was impossible to sufiiciently c on- I ceal the utensil so as not to-detract from the ornamental and decorative design of thefcas e. Thus, the sorcalled compartment actually was readily visible either'by reason of the open passageway into the compartment frorn which the utensil was to be removed toan operative position, or the inadequate closure structure. for the compartment which. was readily distinguishable as such. Another rea \SQII Was that the utensil,-in its operative position, could .not be moved sufficiently clear ofthe body of the case to avoid interference from the same, thereby limiting substantially the freedom with which the utensil could be voperated.

dac r in y. i is a pr n a b ec 9 th in n on to provide a concealed key and utility case of the character described which by reason of its structural features substantially eliminates all of the disadyantages hereinabove enumerated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concealed key and utility case of the character described having novel compartment structures for keyswhereby the same m e o e outwardly om t e am ar' mc into operational position, said compartment structure being characterized by a higher degree ofconcealment af- ;;for.ded thereby than has been possible prior art constructions. V i

Still another object of the invention is to, provide a con- -.ceal,ed compartment utility case of the characterde scribed in which a pivotal articulated linkage is vfimployed for pivoting the y or her u en l int and ut 9 he 9 mpartment, one of the links of said linkage forming a wall of the case in the concealed condition of the key inside the compartment and another link being capable of positioning the key remote from {the body of the case when desired to be used.

: A further object of the invention is to provide a novel ,pivotal articulated lihkage: for ,a ut-ility case of the chardescribed comprising a pair of members pivotally aaat s d d 9. nd are o sa d membe being otatela y moun ed 9 th; te io o the conceale gmnartmea of t e case and tearin walls of t e compa tmen in the concealed position of the key therein, the, other member having theikey pivotally secured on the opposite end thereof and capable of being reciprocated into and out of the compartment. A related object isto uti lize said linkage. in such a manner that inoperational position the utensil'is sufiiciently remote from the case that-the same may be freely'used without interference from said case.

Yet another "object of the invention is to, provide a utility case of the'character described which by reason of its novel concealed compartment construction is especially suitablef or use in connection with more fancy and ornamental cases such as cigarette cases and ladies cosmetic compacts withoutdetracting from the decora t-ive appearance of the, case. Furthermore, since the cornpartments are so completely concealed objects or value may behidden therein Without fear of detection.'

Other objects of the invention reside in the proyisign of a novel concealed key and utility case of the char? tel described which is characterized by its very economical and simple construction, which is strongand durable a d which is convenient to carry and use both in connection with its primary storage functions and the concealed key features thereof. 5 Still a further object of the invention is to provide a utility case of the character described which is capable of being provided with a plurality of concealed compartrnents constructed in accordance with the princ' the invention without sacrificing any of the orna and decorative requirements therefor.

Withthe foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists oh'crtain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and par-t larly pointed out in the appended claims, it being' u'nde'rstood that various changes; in the form, proportion, and ininor detail of the structure; may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. i f i For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred en hqdimnt thereof, from an inspection Qf hih when c side in connection w t e e l description, my'in ention," its inode of coi struc as embly and operatio many of t d antages should be readily understoodand appreciated. i

lteterring to the drawings in which the same characters 915 te f nce ar employed o ilidiafe w n di Q of rai drwii sa i l is a side eleyational ,view of the utility case engbndyua e n en nfro o s o t ewall h n b e b kenaway to reveal a key positioned in a concealed compartment provided in the case; i i Fig. 2 is an s levational view looking toward the hinged side oi said utility case in its closed condition;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of said case in its closed condition; 7 v i i Fig. is a sectional view taken through said utility -.case along the line 4 -4 of showing $Y i k ys piv ed twar ly from their wedd empaterts a i a tra elema se ional i t ken r h said case along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 vie ed in the, direction indicated by the arrows; n

m1 7 are Sectional views taken along the f nes he o, 7. .7 respectively of Fig. 1 and viewed in the it i qi etd by th a rows e38 ia er gdm rer nqct ye iew showing ne s I Paar t mlg la the eve a um c the as brazing, spot welding, soldering. etc.

side of the utility case, the top cover assemblies and two of the assembly pins;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane of line 9--9 of Fig. 11' and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; r

'Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that ofv Fig. 9, but showing the latch device from its opposite side;

. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the utility-case along the plane of line 1111 of Fig.

1 and viewed in the direction indicated; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the articulated linkage employed in the invention.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the cases or cosmetic compacts and the like. For purposes of description, I have here illustrated and described the invention as embodied in a cigarette case designated generally by the reference character 20. For such a purpose, the primary storage compartments or chambers provided in the case 20 will be designed dimension-wise to accommodate cigarettes. Where the principles of the invention are desired to be embodied in a cosmetic compact, for instance, suitable storage compartments for facial powder, lipstick and other cosmetics may be provided instead, including provision for a mirror on the interior of the case. It will be appreciated that the external configuration and design of the case 20 may vary within wide limits and hence forms no part of the invention.

The case 20 is comprised of a pair of inner body members 21 and 22 (Figs. and 7) of substantially identical construction. Each of said inner body members includes a side wall 23 which may be substantially rectangular in shape. Integrally formed on each of said side walls 23 is an inwardly opening cigarette storage chamber 24. Storage chamber 24 may be rectangular in shape and comprises top and bottom walls 25 and 26 and end walls 27, all of said storage chamber walls projecting perpendicularly from side wall 23 (see Fig. 8). It should be noted that end walls 27 project from the lateral edges of side wall 23 while top and bottom walls 25 and 26 are positioned in spaced relationship with the top and bottom edges of said side wall 23 for purposes which will be subsequently described. Body members 21 and 22 preferably are formed from an integral thin metal stamping bent to desired shape, although other methods of fabrication may be feasible.

Inner body members 21 and 22 are arranged with their storage chambers 24 opening one toward the other With the top, bottom and end walls thereof respectively aligned. As seen in Figs. 5 and 8, an aligned pair of end walls 27 may be suitably formed to be matingly engaged for reception of a hinge pin 28, thus forming hinge 29 of the familiar piano-hinge type. Obviously, other hinge means may be employed, such as a separate leaf hinge secured to each of the aligned end walls. When the case 20 is closed there is thus provided a pair of chambers 24 for separately holding cigarettes 30 as seen in Fig. 5, the cigarettes being prevented from disarrangement in the respective chambers by means of the familiar pivotal spring biased retainer strips 31 extending laterally across the mouths of said chambers.

cooperatively mounted relative each side wall 23 is an outer wall or cover plate 32 designed to form a plurality of concealed chambers 33. Cover plates 32 are substantially the same size and configuration as side wall 23 and are attached thereto in parallel spaced relationship by means of a pair of wedge-shaped spacing members 34. Spacing members 34 may be secured to side wall 23 and cover plate 32 by any suitable means such Chambers 33 are thus open around the entire perimeter of the case except for said spacing members 34. The reasons therefor will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Covering the upper and lower ends of the case 20 are cover assemblies 35. As seen in Fig. 7 four such covers are utilized. Each cover 35 may be an integral stamping having an elongated planar wall 36 and a curved wall 37 joined along a lengthwise edge of wall 3'6'and perpendicular thereto (see Fig. 8). Each cover resembles the chord of a circle as best seen in Fig. 8 and is installed with the free edge of wall 36 engaged upon a wall 25 or 26 perpendicular thereto and the free edge of wall 37 supported upon side wall 23. As seen in Fig. 7, a pair of covers 35 is installed at each end of the case with the walls 36 thereof parallel and juxtaposed in face-to-face contact.

The covers may be attached to the case by means of hinge pins 38, two of which are employed at each corner of the case. Pin 38 has an enlarged head 39, and two of said pins are thereby attached to wall 36 of each cover 35 as seen in Fig. 6. The attachment may be made by any suitable means such as soldering, welding and the like. Each pin 38 is new extended through suitably aligned openings 39 in side wall 23. The free end of each pin is thenattached to the corresponding plate 32 by means of soldering, welding or the like. Mounted on each pin 38 is a coil spring 40 which bears against the pin head 39 and the side wall 23 for purposes which will become apparent as the description proceeds. It should thus be noted that the cover 35 in no way obstructs the chamber 33.

Mounted on each pin 38 within the chamber 33 may be a pair of thin annular spacer washers 41. Pivotally mounted on each pin 38 between said washers 41 is a novel articulated key holder 42 which will now be described in some detail. Obviously, eight such key holders are employed, one on each pin.

Each key holder 42 comprises a bell-crank having arms 43 and 44 pivotally mounted at their point of junction on pin 38. The free end of arm 43 is angularly disposed as at 45 and the outer edge of arm 43 is of identical configuration to the corresponding portion of cover wall 37. Pivotally linked to the free end of arm 44 is a third arm 46 whose free end is provided with suitable means for pivotally holding a key K such as friction pin 47.- Third arm 46 may in turn comprise two segments 48 and 49 which are pivotally connected by joint 50 as best seen in Fig. 12. Thus the key K may be rotated by means of joint 50 in a plane of motion perpendicular to the plane of pivotal motion of arms 43 and 44. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3 key holders 42 are substantially identical in thickness to the width of chamber 33.

When the keys are in the concealed condition each key holder 42 occupies the position shown in Fig. 1. It is important to note that the angular walls of spacing members 34 limit the outward movement of arms 43 so that the latter can move in this direction only until its end '45 lies in juxtaposition with the spacing member. Since the outer edges of arms 43 and 44 are identical in shape to the adjoining case edge the key holders thus are perfectly fiush with the case edges. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the keys and chambers 33 now are substantially completely concealed, the key holders 42 appearing only as part of the cases outer surface.

To place a key in operable position it is necessary only to apnly a slight inward force, as with a finger, on the end 45 of the appropriate arm 43. This force causes key h der 42 to rotate with the result that the free end of arm 44 isejected from the case. Arm 44 is then simply rasped and pivoted out of the case and link arm 46 ivoted to its extended position as seen best in Fig. 4.

t is important to note that the key is now quite remote rom the case itself and consequently conveniently ready for use. To facilitate the keys convenient use even furheli 531115? y be r ed o any desired position by means of joint 50, again as. seen in Fig. 4. To return the key to its concealed position it is necessary only to reverse the process just described, rotating the key holder '42 inwardly until its motion is stopped by the spacing member 34. c

As previously indicated, each spring 40 exerts pressure outwardly against side wall '23. Since wall 23' is relatively thin and lacks any reinforcing support at its corners, this pressure has a tendency to slightly distort these corners. This pressure is therefore transmitted to the spacer washers 41 and the key holder '42 positioned therebetween. A tight frictional fit for the key holders '42 is thus obtained, thereby insuring against inadvertent disclosure of the concealed key holders and keys.

The body members 21 and 22 are releasably locked together in the closed condition of thevcase 20 by means of a latch device designated generally 50. (See Figs. 1 and 9-11 incl.) Latch device 50 includes a guideplate 51 secured as by spot welding 52 to the inner surface of Wall 36 of one of the covers. 35. Said plate 51 has a cutout therein providing an elongatedchannel 53' and a shorter channel 54 perpendicular to channel 53. As seen in Fig. 9 the plate 51 abuts the wall 25 with the channel 53 parallel to said wall. geometric center of the said channel 53. Slidably mounted on an edge thereof in channel 54 is a slide bar 55 having a reduced-dimension extension 56 forming. a shoulder 57 intermediate the ends of said bar. To the free end of extension 56 is attached a latch finger 58 positioned perpendicular to said extension and extended through a passageway 59 formed through the juxtaposed walls 36 of the installed cover members 35. The latch finger 58 is maintained in a normal position for locking the body members 21 and 22 together by means of the spring 60 supported at its ends between the lug or ear 61 formed on extension 56 and lug or ear 62 struck from plate 51. The normal locking position of said finger 58 is seen in Fig. 11 wherein the finger 58 is seen extended through suitable openings in the walls 36 forming said passageway 59 with the finger lodged behind the wall 36 from the end of said passageway opposite to the end thereof from which the finger 58 is entered.

A latch button 63 by means of which the case is opened is reciprocable in a slot 64 provided in wall 37 of a said cover member. As seen in Figs. 9 and said button 63 has oppositely extending flanges 65 serving as stop. members for preventing removal of the same through slot 64. Depending from the under side of button 63 is a finger 66 having a narrow extension 67 at its end forming a shoulder 68. Engaged at its ends between the shoulder 68 and the shoulder 57 on slide bar 55 is a push lever 69. As seen in Fig. 9, When the slide bar 55 has been moved, because of the action of spring 60, to the locked condition of the latch 50, push lever 69 is also moved to the position shown in dotted outline, thereby pushing button 63' to its outermost position (shown in dotted outline). When the button 63 is depressed to the solid outline position the lever 69 is moved to bear against the shoulder 57 thereby pushing slide bar 55 to the left as seen in said Fig. 9. The latch finger 58 is likewise moved to the left onto full alignment with passageway 59 and clear of the adjacent marginal edges of walls 36 (see Fig. 11). In this position the body members are free to be pivoted one away from the other to open the case 20. Upon closing of the case the latch finger 58 automatically snaps behind the wall 36, said locking engagement being Channel 54 isoffset from the facilitated by the bevelled edge 70 formed on finger 58. 7

gance. Further, my unique, articulated key? holderpermits the keys to be moved without separation to an operative position sufficiently remote from the. case that the case does not interfere with the use of. the key.

It is believed that my invention, its. mode or construction and assembly, and many of' its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that-whilea preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the. structural. details are nevertheless capable of wide variation Within the purview of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

I claim:

1. A pocket-size device of the character described comprising a pair of complementary body members hingedly connected to provide a storage casing, at least one outer cover member mounted on said body members in parallel spaced relationship therewith to form a cham: ber between said body and cover members, said chamber being open around at least a portion of its periphery, and an articulated utensil holder pivotally mounted in said chamber, said utensil holder being selectively movable between a first position to close said chamber with the utensil secreted therein and a second position toholdthe utensil in operational position remote from said chamher, said utensil holder comprises a bell crank and a third arm pivotally attached to the free end of one of said bell crank arms, said third arm pivotal in the same plane of motion as said bell crank, said third arm adapted to hold a utensil and said bell crank adapted to fit snugly into said chamber whereby to close the open portion of its periphery with said third arm and utensil positioned therein.

2. The device of claim 1 in which a wedge-shaped spacing member is positioned between said cover and body members, said spacing member adapted to cooperate with the free arm of said bell crank to limit the motion thereof in one direction.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said third arm comprises a pair of pivotally joined segments, one of said segments capable of being rotated in a plane of motion perpendicular to the plane of motion of said bell crank.

4. The device of claim 1 in which the pivot point of said bell crank comprises a pin connected to said body and cover members, said pin having a coil spring mounted thereon, said spring adapted to urge a wall of said body member toward its cooperating cover member.

5. The device of claim 1 in which a pair of complementary hollow cover assemblies is mounted adjacent the top of said body members, said cover assemblies comprising a planar wall and an integrally formed wall extending perpendicularly thereto, said last-mentioned wall conforming in shape to the top portion of said body members, said planar walls being in juxtaposed relationship in the closed condition of said storage casing.

6. The device of claim 1 in which said body members are releasably locked together by a latch positioned in one of said cover assemblies, said latch comprising a guide plate secured to the inside of one of said planar walls, said guide plate having a pair of channels positioned transversely to each other, a slide bar slidably mounted in one of said channels, said slide bar having a reduced-dimension extension forming a shoulder intermediate the ends thereof, a finger attached to the free end of said extension and projecting perpendicularly thereto, said finger adapted to extend through a passageway formed in said juxtaposed planar walls, a spring connected between said extension and guide plate, said spring adapted to normally urge said finger to a case-locking position, a push button extending through the top of said cover assembly, and a push lever positioned between the underside of said button and said slide bar, said button and push lever adapted to slide said finger into full alignment with said passageway whereby said storage casing may be opened.

7. In a device of the character described including a casing having a pair of complementary body members hingedly connected at one end thereof and a chamber for utensils exterior of said casing; an articulated utensil holder pivotally mounted in said chamber, said utensil holder comprising a bell crank and a third arm pivotally attached to the free end of one of said bell crank arms, said third arm pivotal in the same plane of motion as said bell crank, said third arm adapted to hold a utensil and said bell crankladapted to fit snugly into said chamber whereby to close the open portion of its periphery with said third arm and utensil positioned therein.

8. A pocket-size device of the character described comprising a pair of complementary body members hingedly connected to provide a storage casing, each of said body members including a side Wall and an inwardly projecting storage compartment, said side wall extending above and below said storage compartment, a pair of wedge-shaped spacing members secured to the outer surface of said side wall at opposite edges thereof, a cover plate secured to said spacing members to form a substantially open utensil holding chamber between said side wall and cover plate, an articulated utensil holder pivotally mounted in said chamber, said utensil holder comprising a bell crank and third arm pivotally attached to the free end of one said bell crank arms, said third arm adapted to hold a utensil, said bell crank being of substantially the same thickness as said chamber, a plurality of cover assemblies mounted on the tops and bottoms of said storage compartments to close off the space between said storage compartments and the top and bottom edges of said side walls, a pivot pin secured between at least one of said cover assemblies and its cooperating cover plate, said pivot pin positioned through suitably aligned openings in said side wall and said utensil holder, a coil spring mounted on said pivot pin in said cover assembly, said spring adapted to urge said side wall toward its cooperating cover plate, said utensil holder being selectively movable between a first position to close said chamber with a utensil therein and a second position to hold the utensil in operational position exterior of said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 807,402 Scanlan Dec. 12, 1905 973,930 Fink Oct. 25, 1910 2,451,056 Berger et al. Oct. 12, 1948 2,630,212 Mosch Mar. 3, 1953 

